Popular cosmetic treatments raise concerns for eye health

Overseas eyecare professionals are delving into eyelash extensions and serums, eyelid tattooing, and the use of retinoids to improve facial skin appearance, to better understand the potential impact on their patients’ eyes and vision.

The greater focus on cosmetics and ocular health is in response to the rising visibility of beauty trends on internet and social media, including alarm over the proliferation of eye colour changing eyedrops highlighted in Insight.

Canada’s Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has discussed this trend in the latest issue of Contact Lens Update .

“The popularity of social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, means that beauty products are promoted to a worldwide audience like never before,” said Ms Jill Woods, head of clinical research at CORE.

“Positive product reviews or the recommendation of a beauty influencer spread like wildfire. However, most people often do not consider how their cosmetic choices could negatively impact their eyes before clicking ‘Add to Cart’.

“We further elevate our role as eyecare practitioners when educating our patients about how different cosmetics or procedures impact their eyes. Having different treatment options to manage problems and offering alternative options helps ensure optimal eye health.”

The update discusses cosmetic products and procedures that practitioners encounter daily, ocular complications that may arise, and practical advice on the best way to manage and counsel patients.

Also included is a downloadable handout with helpful tips to start conversations that address the effect of cosmetics on ocular health. It also offers communications methods that “elevate patient understanding and compliance”.

The feature article is authored by Ms Alison Ng, an independent optometric consultant and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo. She summarises the findings of a study that investigated the prevalence of dry eye symptoms in a group of adult females from Saudi Arabia that use eye cosmetics.

The overview explores the frequency and type of products that were applied, and the severity of the symptoms assessed with a validated dry eye questionnaire.

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